Franciscan Month
31 Days To A Simpler And Holier Life

St. Francis reminds us that holiness is rarely found in extraordinary moments. It is built through thousands of small acts of love, humility, simplicity, and faithfulness, lived one day at a time.

Practical ways to live the spirit of St. Francis in everyday life:

Day 1. Choose silence over the last word

Not every battle is won by speaking.
Sometimes the greatest victory is remaining silent.

We often feel the need to defend ourselves, explain our actions, or prove that we are right. Pride wants the last word. Humility seeks the last act of love. Silence is not weakness. It is strength under control. It is trusting that God can defend your reputation better than your arguments ever could. Jesus remained silent before His accusers. St. Francis followed in His footsteps, choosing peace over pride, mercy over self-justification, and charity over winning an argument. Before responding, ask yourself:

• Is this the right time to speak?
• Or is God inviting me to remain silent?

Choosing silence doesn’t mean ignoring truth. There are times when justice requires us to speak. But many daily conflicts are not about truth, they are about our desire to have the final say.

Today, let someone else have the last word.
Let your life speak louder than your arguments.
At the end of today, examine your conscience and ask yourself: When did I choose silence wisely, and when did I fail to?

Day 2. Pray before checking your phone

Begin your day by turning your heart toward God before turning to the world. The first voice we listen to shapes every other voice we hear. Today, many of us reach for our phones before we even leave our beds. Notifications, headlines, emails and social media can fill our minds before God has a chance to fill our hearts. What if we reversed that order? Before checking your phone, pause for one minute. Make the Sign of the Cross. Thank God for the gift of a new day. Offer Him your plans, your worries and the people you will meet. Ask for the grace to love well. The world will always have something urgent to say. God usually speaks more quietly but His voice brings peace, wisdom and direction. Like St. Francis, let your first conversation each day be with the One who loves you most. A day that begins with prayer is a day that begins with purpose.

Day 3. Find at least one good thing in every person you meet

Coming soon! 

4. Give away something you value
5. Spend an hour in nature praising God
6. Fast from complaining for a day
7. Smile at someone who ignores you
8. Forgive before you’re asked
9. Pray for someone who annoys you
10. Celebrate another person’s success
11. Keep Sunday truly holy
12. Spend at least 15 minutes before the Blessed Sacrament
13. Put your phone away during meals
14. Speak only words that build others up
15. Thank God for an inconvenience
16. Do one hidden act of kindness
17. Let someone else receive the credit
18. Buy less and give more
19. Clean up a place that isn’t yours
20. Pick up rubbish during a walk
21. Be fully present in every conversation
22. Pause to admire God’s creation
23. Thank God before every meal
24. Encourage someone who feels invisible
25. Visit someone who is lonely
26. Pray before every major decision
27. Keep your promises
28. Refuse to gossip even if everyone else does
29. Replace criticism with encouragement
30. Live one day without unnecessary spending
31. End every day with an examination of conscience.